‘Somatic’ comes from the Greek word for ‘body’. In essence, it’s body-based work - because we don’t just think stress, anxiety, or burnout; we feel them. While talking therapy can be invaluable for feeling heard and validated, it may not address the physical imprint of stress or trauma that lingers in the body.  That’s why some people still feel stuck after having such therapy.

We actually feel first, then think. The body sends signals - headaches, fatigue, gut issues, jaw tension, irritability, brain fog - but most of us, especially in high-pressure professions, learn to override them. We stay “in our heads” and push on. Over time, living in a constant stress response can erode health, resilience and confidence.

For almost three decades, I worked in global law firms, driving myself harder than anyone asked me to. I doubted myself, avoided certain opportunities and lived with a constant undercurrent of feeling “not good enough”. Outwardly I was calm and competent; inwardly, I was burning out. My relationships suffered. My self-confidence was threadbare.

Then in 2020, during lockdown, my brother died from alcoholism, and I went no-contact with my narcissistic parents. Grief, confusion and a need for answers sent me into months of research on narcissism, the nervous system and why we develop the patterns we do. I began ICF/CPD-accredited training in somatic trauma-informed coaching and narcissistic abuse - and everything clicked. My self-doubt, anxiety, overworking and endless proving of my worth were not character flaws; they were protective patterns my nervous system had learned to keep me safe. And if they were learned, they could be changed.

That insight transformed my life. By August 2024, I was certified and determined to help at least one other person understand themselves better and find the same freedom.

The legal profession rewards intellect, precision, and stamina - but rarely teaches how to sustain those qualities without sacrificing mental and physical wellbeing. Billable hour targets, heavy caseloads, constant deadlines and the pressure to be “always available” can keep lawyers’ nervous systems permanently switched to high alert.

Living in that state impacts everything - the clarity needed to advise clients, the calm required to negotiate under pressure, the patience to manage difficult clients, even the presence to lead a team effectively. Stress narrows our perspective, reduces empathy and impairs problem-solving and the ability to think and speak clearly - all qualities that are critical for being a good lawyer.

In 1:1 coaching, I help lawyers recognise when they’re in that heightened state and use practical tools to return to a place of calm and balance. Sometimes that means learning how to regulate their nervous system before walking into a contentious meeting or public speaking. Sometimes it’s about releasing tension after a long day in court or in the office so you can actually rest and recharge. For others, it’s breaking free from perfectionism so they can focus on progressing a matter rather than over-polishing every detail to the point of exhaustion.